Audio message system with programmer
First Claim
1. A programmable audio message system comprising:
- a clock to generate intervaled timing pulses;
a plurality of audio message units, each of said units having;
control circuit means conductively connected to receive said intervaled timing pulses and to generate a start control signal upon receipt thereof,tape player means conductively connected to receive said start control signal, said tape player having means to generate an audio signal and an audio output,an audio detect circuit conductively connected(1) to the audio output of said tape player to detect the presence of an audio signal and(2) to supply a run and stop signal to said tape player through said control circuit to cause said tape player to run as long as an audio signal is present at said audio output,tape means for positioning on said tape player, said tape being preprogrammed with a plurality of brief audio messages;
speaker means associated with each of said audio message units conductively connected to the audio output of its respective tape player to receive audio signals therefrom and generate corresponding audible signals;
wherein the intervaled timing pulses of said clock cause the control circuit of each message unit to start its respective tape player means in accordance with a time program to play the next brief audio message on said tape and the audio detect circuit of each respective message unit detects (1) the playing of the brief message at the audio output of its respective tape player to cause said tape player to run and (2) the absence of audio signals at the audio output to cause said tape player to stop; and
wherein said tapes are preprogrammed by a tape programmer comprised of;
tape recorder means havng an input with a microphone connected thereto to receive an audible input;
digital time display means;
control means conductively connected to said tape recorder means and to said digital time display means, said control means having;
a counter control circuit conductively connected to said time display means to supply signals thereto to cause said time display means to display a preselected time,an audio monitor circuit conductively connected to detect the presence and absence of audio input to said tape recorder means and to send a pulsing signal to said counter control to advance the displayed time a preselected increment of time after detection of the presence of an audio input of selected duration followed by the absence of said audio input, said audio monitor circuit having means to inhibit recording for a selected period after the detection of said absence of said audio input.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of audio message units are each comprised of a control circuit which receives intervaled timing pulses from a clock. The control circuit sends a start signal to a tape player. An audio detect circuit is connected to the audio output of the tape player and supplies a run and stop signal to the player through the control circuit upon the detection of an audio signal at the tape player output and its subsequent termination, respectively. Speakers are connected to the audio output of the tape player of each respective message unit to broadcast audio messages preprogrammed on the tapes of each tape player. A programmer for programming the tapes has a tape recorder with a microphone and a digital clock with means to set and incrementally advance displayed time to the time a particular message is to be broadcast by a particular audio message unit. The system may include a security message unit to broadcast audio messages reflecting the existence of a security violation. Each message unit may also include an automatic rewind circuit.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A programmable audio message system comprising:
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a clock to generate intervaled timing pulses; a plurality of audio message units, each of said units having; control circuit means conductively connected to receive said intervaled timing pulses and to generate a start control signal upon receipt thereof, tape player means conductively connected to receive said start control signal, said tape player having means to generate an audio signal and an audio output, an audio detect circuit conductively connected (1) to the audio output of said tape player to detect the presence of an audio signal and (2) to supply a run and stop signal to said tape player through said control circuit to cause said tape player to run as long as an audio signal is present at said audio output, tape means for positioning on said tape player, said tape being preprogrammed with a plurality of brief audio messages; speaker means associated with each of said audio message units conductively connected to the audio output of its respective tape player to receive audio signals therefrom and generate corresponding audible signals; wherein the intervaled timing pulses of said clock cause the control circuit of each message unit to start its respective tape player means in accordance with a time program to play the next brief audio message on said tape and the audio detect circuit of each respective message unit detects (1) the playing of the brief message at the audio output of its respective tape player to cause said tape player to run and (2) the absence of audio signals at the audio output to cause said tape player to stop; and wherein said tapes are preprogrammed by a tape programmer comprised of; tape recorder means havng an input with a microphone connected thereto to receive an audible input; digital time display means; control means conductively connected to said tape recorder means and to said digital time display means, said control means having; a counter control circuit conductively connected to said time display means to supply signals thereto to cause said time display means to display a preselected time, an audio monitor circuit conductively connected to detect the presence and absence of audio input to said tape recorder means and to send a pulsing signal to said counter control to advance the displayed time a preselected increment of time after detection of the presence of an audio input of selected duration followed by the absence of said audio input, said audio monitor circuit having means to inhibit recording for a selected period after the detection of said absence of said audio input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for programming cassette tapes for use with an audio message system having cassette tape recorders, said apparatus being comprised of:
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a cassette tape recorder having an input with a microphone connected thereto to receive an audible input; digital time display means; control means conductively connected to said tape recorder means and to said digital time display means, said control means having; a counter control circuit conductively connected to said time display means to supply signals thereto to cause said time display means to display a preselected time, an audio monitor circuit conductively connected to detect the presence and absence of audio input to said tape recorder means and to send a pulsing signal to said counter control to advance the displayed time a preselected increment of time after detection of the presence of an audio input of selected duration followed by the absence of said audio input, said audio monitor circuit having means to inhibit recording for a selected period after the detection of said absence of said audio input. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. In an audio message system for broadcasting point of sale messages of the type having a clock connected to a tape machine to play timed messages at a preselected interval, the improvement comprising the use of a programmer to program said tapes, said programmer having;
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tape recorder means having an input with a microphone connected thereto to receive an audible input; digital time display means; control means conductively connected to said tape recorder means and to said digital time display means, said control means having; a counter control circuit conductively connected to said time display means to supply signals thereto to cause said time display means to display a preselected time, an audio monitor circuit conductively connected to detect the presence and absence of audio input to said tape recorder means and to send a pulsing signal to said counter control to advance the displayed time a preselected increment of time after detection of the presence of an audio input of selected duration followed by the absence of said audio input, said audio monitor circuit having means to inhibit recording for a selected period after the detection of said absence of said audio input. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification